First time owner, 1st generation

dan brooks · 09-25-2002, 02:52 PM

Hi all,

I just purchased a '92 Dodge CTD 3/4-ton 2WD. It has the auto/OD trans and 3.54 gears (looks like an open diff - no LS tag but haven't checked further). I picked the truck up from the original owner, who purchased it new in Arizona, and it was used to tow a 29' 5th wheel. Best part of all: it only has 47k miles on it.

This thing is clean - the paint has very slight fading from the Arizona sun, but the interior is excellent and the bed has just a few nicks and scratces from the 5th wheel hitch....which I also got with the truck.

Underneath is extremely clean - you can still see the factory decals and markings. There is a small oil leak from the oil pan drain plug, but it looks like the washer/gasket is missing, so I'll change the oil and take a closer look at that.

I have to do a little wiring "clean-up" on it - this thing has so many lights it looks like a Christmas tree, but I guess that is to be expected if you buy from an 85-year old man.

For whatever reason he bypassed the "start" position of the ignition switch and installed a push button on the dash - said he wanted to be able to start it in gear.

I traced the wires and got it hooked back to the ignition switch.

Being that this is my first diesel, are there any particular things I need to check or do? I have read a lot about the KDP, and hope to do something with that - does the KDP jig work on 1st gen engines? I have lost just about all my patience for working on vehicles, so pulling the front cover off really doesn't turn me on.

Anyone know of a Tucson-area shop that knows what they're doing?

I'm planning on purchasing a cabover camper - don't want anything that hangs over the bed too far because I'll be towing my Jeep, too. Is there anything I should do before loading up, other than routine maintenance (change oil/filter, ATF, rear diff fluid)?

Thanks in advance for the help.

Pics of truck